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Renewing your DNI and passport in Palma: Cita Previa, documents, deadlines

Anyone living in Palma who needs to renew their DNI (Spanish national identity card), their German passport or ID card quickly runs into the same hurdle: without a Cita Previa almost nothing works in Spain. Whether you're Spanish, German, Austrian or Argentinian – the procedures are similar, but the responsible authorities differ fundamentally. Spanish nationals turn to the Policía Nacional, Germans to the Consulate in Palma, and Argentinians likewise to their local consulate. This guide shows you which deadlines apply for the DNI, how to book an appointment online, which original documents you need to bring, and what to bear in mind for minors. At the end you'll find a checklist to help you get through the bureaucratic process without missing an appointment.

Renewing DNI & passport in Palma: Cita Previa 2026

Do you need support with bureaucratic procedures related to your move to Mallorca?

Who needs to renew what? An overview for Mallorca residents

The Spanish DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) is exclusively for Spanish nationals, including former foreigners naturalised in Spain or dual nationals. Anyone without Spanish nationality does not have a DNI, but instead holds a green Residencia certificate as an EU citizen, or a TIE card as a non-EU citizen. Passports and national ID cards from other countries (Germany, Austria), on the other hand, are applied for and renewed exclusively through the respective consulates in Palma – never at a Spanish Comisaría.

Decision diagram showing, for four nationalities in Palma, the document to be renewed and the responsible office in each case.
Document For whom Responsible authority in Palma
DNI Spanish nationals Policía Nacional (Comisaría)
Spanish passport Spanish nationals Policía Nacional (Comisaría)
German passport/ID card German nationals German Consulate Palma
Austrian passport Austrian nationals Responsible passport authority or representation
Argentinian DNI Argentinian nationals Argentine Consulate Palma

Note: The same basic principle applies to all four documents: appear in person with original documents, generally only by prior appointment.

Spanish DNI: validity, deadlines and Cita Previa

The DNI is not valid indefinitely. How long your document remains valid depends on your age at the time of issue. For minors under 5 years old, the DNI is valid for only 2 years, because the face changes quickly at this age. Between 5 and 30 years of age, the validity is 5 years, and between 30 and 70 years, 10 years. From the age of 70, the DNI is issued without a time limit – renewal is then no longer necessary.

Age at issue Validity period
Under 5 years 2 years
5–30 years 5 years
30–70 years 10 years
Over 70 years Unlimited, no renewal needed

The DNI is indispensable in everyday life, among other things for opening a bank account or dealing with authorities – carrying the ID card is also compulsory from the age of 14. Applications can only be made in person at the responsible Comisaría of the Policía Nacional; you can find out which office in Palma and the Balearics is responsible via the official Dependencias Locator of the Policía Nacional.

Attention: An expired DNI is officially no longer considered a valid identity or travel document. Plan your renewal well in advance to avoid problems with official procedures or travel within the EU.

How the Cita Previa appointment for the DNI works

For the DNI and Spanish passport, appointments are booked centrally via the official online system of the Policía Nacional. Important: make sure to use only the official website, as there are copycat portals online that charge fees for what is actually a free appointment.

  1. Go to the official appointment page citapreviadnie.es.
  2. Choose to log in using your DNI details or – if available – via the electronic chip of your current document.
  3. Select the desired province or Comisaría in Mallorca.
  4. Check the available appointments and choose a suitable slot.
  5. Bring all required original documents to the appointment, as incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  6. Pay the applicable fee directly on-site at the Comisaría; you can find out the current payment arrangements via the appointment system or at the office.

Note: For minors, the consent of the legal guardians is required for the issuance of a passport. Find out about the exact requirements in advance on the Sede Electrónica of the Policía Nacional.

German passport and ID card at the Consulate in Palma

German nationals in Mallorca cannot apply for their passport or ID card at a Spanish authority, but exclusively at the German Consulate in Palma – and only in person, with a prior appointment booked via the RK-Termin system of the Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office). Applications without an appointment are not accepted due to limited capacity.

Detail Value
Address Calle Porto Pi 8, 3-D, Edificio Reina Constanza, 07015 Palma
Phone 0034-971-707737
Fax 0034-971-707740
Email info@palma.diplo.de
Online appointment service2.diplo.de/rktermin (location "palm")

Note: Only the application of one person can be processed per appointment. If you want to apply for a passport or ID card for several family members, you will need a separate appointment for each person. All documents must be submitted in original and additionally as a copy.

Important: Anyone who submits their application at a non-responsible foreign mission or at an honorary consulate will pay higher fees than at the responsible mission. You can find the exact fee schedule on the website of the German foreign missions in Spain.

Step by step: booking an appointment at the German Consulate in Palma

  1. First check on the website of the Auswärtiges Amt which mission is responsible for your place of residence in Spain (consulate finder).
  2. Open the RK-Termin system at service2.diplo.de/rktermin for the Palma location.
  3. Select the section "Passport / ID card / Change of residence".
  4. Before booking, check on the consulate's website whether you have all the required documents complete.
  5. Print out the application form and fill it in in advance.
  6. Only book an appointment if you really have all the documents ready – incomplete applications will not be processed.
  7. Arrive on time with original documents and copies; for several family members: book separate appointments.

Note: Before the first issuance of an identity document, a declaration of name under German law or a subsequent registration of birth may be necessary. Clarify this in advance via the consulate's website.

Document checklist for passport and ID card

Situation Required documents
Standard application for adults Current identity document in original + copy, completed application form
Name change necessary Prior declaration of name or subsequent registration of birth required
Minors Proof of representation authority of the legal guardians must be provided
Loss or theft Separate report via the consulate website, with its own procedure

Austrian citizens: passport reissue

For Austrians on Mallorca too: the passport must be applied for in person at the responsible passport authority or representation, sometimes with an appointment arranged online, by phone or by email – at some offices an appointment is even mandatory. The Austrian passport is generally valid for ten years; exceptions apply, among others, to minors under 12 years of age, for whom shorter validity periods apply. An extension of the old document is not possible – after expiry, a new passport must always be issued. However, you can also apply for a new passport at any time while the old one still has remaining validity; the old document will be invalidated upon issue of the new one.

Argentine citizens: DNI with change of residence

Anyone living in the Balearic Islands as an Argentine citizen who has not yet had the change of residence registered in their DNI is obliged, under Argentine law (Ley 17671, Art. 47), to do so retroactively. The appointment takes place in person at the Consulado Argentino in Palma.

Requirement Detail
Age updates Updates at ages 5–8 and 14–16 must be on record, otherwise they must be completed first
Missing DNI Police loss report + birth certificate (no more than 1 year old) required
Change of civil status Argentine certificate or family record book required as proof
Minors Both parents with valid ID must appear in person, or a power of attorney (apostilled if it is a foreign document)
Fee €15 Tasa (payment by American Express not possible)

Note: The Argentine passport, if available, should also be brought in original to the appointment.

Overview of fees

The exact fee amount for the DNI and Spanish passport is communicated at the time of booking the appointment or directly by the Comisaría; for the German passport or ID card, a separate fee schedule from the foreign missions applies, whereby applications made at non-responsible missions or honorary consulates are more expensive. For the Argentine DNI with change of residence, a fixed Tasa of €15 is payable (no American Express payment).

Document Fee Payment method
Spanish DNI/Pasaporte Provided when booking the appointment/Comisaría On site
German passport/ID card Varies depending on the representation, see fee overview Consulate
Argentinian DNI 15 € Cash or alternative payment method, no Amex

Most common mistakes

  • Appointment booked without complete documents: Consulates and Comisarías generally do not accept incomplete applications.
  • Wrong appointment portal used: There are unofficial websites in circulation that charge money for what is actually a free appointment booking – use only citapreviadnie.es or the official RK-Termin-System.
  • Only one appointment booked for several family members: At the German consulate, only one person is processed per appointment.
  • Necessary preliminary steps overlooked: Missing age updates for the Argentinian DNI or a pending name declaration for the German ID card can significantly delay the appointment.
  • Missing copies: Both at the consulate and at many authorities, originals must also be submitted as copies.

What happens next?

After a successful application, your new document will be produced and generally must be collected in person or delivered – the exact procedure varies depending on the authority and will be explained to you at the appointment. Once you have your new identity document in hand, you should check whether further notifications are needed, for example with the Empadronamiento or in ongoing administrative processes that reference the old document number.

Checklist: 6 steps to your new identity document

  1. Clarify responsibility: Spanish DNI → Policía Nacional; German passport → Konsulat Palma; Austrian passport → responsible representation; Argentinian DNI → Consulado Argentino Palma.
  2. Check the validity and expiry date of your current document.
  3. Clarify required preliminary steps (name declaration, age updates, missing certificates).
  4. Book the appointment exclusively through the official portal.
  5. Prepare all original documents plus copies.
  6. Arrive on time with complete documents for the appointment and have the fee ready.

Conclusion

Whether DNI, German passport or Argentine ID – in Palma there's no way around booking a Cita Previa in advance, and each nationality has its own responsible office. Anyone who finds out early which deadlines apply to their document, clarifies the correct preliminary steps and uses only the official appointment portals will save themselves long waiting times and missed appointments. Careful planning is especially worthwhile for families with several documents to renew, so that the visit to the authority succeeds on the first attempt.

Official sources

How long is my Spanish DNI valid?
It depends on your age at the time of issue: under 5 years old, 2 years; between 5 and 30 years old, 5 years; between 30 and 70 years old, 10 years; from 70 years old onwards, indefinite with no obligation to renew.
Where can I get an appointment for DNI renewal in Palma?
Through the official online system citapreviadnie.es of the Policía Nacional; use only this official site, as unofficial portals sometimes charge unnecessary fees.
Can I apply for my German passport directly at a Spanish authority?
No, German identity documents can only be applied for at the relevant German Consulate in Palma, in person and with a prior appointment booked via the RK-Termin system.
Do I need a separate appointment for each family member at the German Consulate?
Yes, only one person's application can be processed per appointment; for several family members, correspondingly several appointments are required.
What happens if I turn up to my appointment without complete documents?
Both the Policía Nacional and the German Consulate do not accept incomplete applications, meaning a new appointment will be necessary.
Can I renew my Spanish DNI while abroad?
Under Real Decreto 255/2025, this is in principle possible at certain representations abroad, but this service is still being rolled out and is currently unavailable at many locations; applications therefore mostly need to be made in person in Spain.
What fee applies for the Argentine DNI when changing residence?
The tasa is €15, and payment by American Express is not possible.
Can an expired DNI still be used in Spain?
An expired DNI is officially no longer considered a valid identity or travel document, so timely renewal is advisable.